Can top perforator and stopper



Aug. 9, 19380 T. RUSSELL 2,126,667

CAN TOP PERFORATOR AND STOPPER Filed Nov. 2, 1936 Aiio neys Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE CAN TOP PERFORATQR AND STOPEER Ohio Application November 2, 1936, Serial No. 108,843

1 Claim.

My invention relates generally to means for perforating can tops to provide pouring and air holes therein, and particularly to a can punch of this character which can be left in the holes made by it to act as a twin stopper, and an important object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical arrangement of this character.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a can punch of the character indicated which is adapted to make two holes in one operation, which punch is adapted to be adjusted to fit can tops of dilferent diameters and sizes.

Other important objects of my invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein for purposes of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a general top plan view of the embodiment.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the embodiment and through the upper part of a can showing application of the invention for perforating the top of the can and acting as twin stoppers for the holes made in the top of the can.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the plates re-arranged for making close together perforations in the can top.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 5 generally designates the device of the invention which is composed of a lower T-hole shaped plate 6 and an upper T-hole shaped plate 1. Fastened in the approximate center of the threequarter circular portion of each plate is a corresponding perforating pin 8, 9 and from the elongated portion of the lower plate 6 and near the free end of its elongated portion rises a doubleheaded rivet or other suitable pivot II] which works in an elongated slot ll formed in the elongated portion of the upper plate 1, the head on the pivot holding the plate I in sliding engagement with the plate 6. This pivot l0 permits the plates to be pivoted to the relationships shown in Figure l or to the relationships shown in Figure 4 whereby to bring the perforating pins 8 and 9 to the greatest distance apart or to the closest spaced positions, in accordance with the requirements, and the size of the can top.

The device of the invention is adapted to be extended on the can top l2 until its terminals are near diametrically opposite parts of the ridge or bead l3 which is usually on the can top, so that the points 8 and 9 will be properly positioned for driving through the can top to provide pouring and air holes therein. Pressure upon the top of the device so positioned will force the points 8 and 9 into the positions shown in Figure 2. In the event that the plates 6 and 'l have relatively angulated positions after driving of the points through the can top, these plates may be moved into alignment, with the curved and enlarged ends of the plates rollingalong the inner surface of the can bead during this action, so that the device as a whole adapts a neat and convenient position for handling as a double stopper.

Although I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of the invention thereto, and any change or changes may be made in the materials, and in the structure and arrangement of the parts, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claim.

What is claimed is:

A combined can top punch and seal comprising a pair of elongated slidably and rotatably superposed plates having respective can top piercing and sealing pins projecting from the under side thereof, one of said plates being formed with a longitudinal slot, a pin fastened rigidly to the remaining plate and projecting through said slot, and a head on said pin bearing against the outer side of the slot-equipped plate to retain the plates assembled.

THOMAS F. RUSSELL. 

